Federal Government Raises Alarm as Deadly Cattle Disease Spreads to 17 States
The Federal Government has raised serious concerns over the spread of Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia (CBPP), revealing that more than 17 states have been affected, with 131 outbreaks officially recorded.
Speaking at the inauguration of a Technical Working Group on CBPP elimination in Abuja, the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, described the disease as a major threat to Nigeria’s livestock sector. He, however, expressed optimism that it can be eradicated with sustained and coordinated efforts.
Maiha noted that the scale of the outbreaks highlights the severe economic consequences of the disease, warning that infections have the potential to wipe out entire herds and devastate livelihoods.
He called for urgent and strengthened measures, including enhanced surveillance systems, widespread vaccination campaigns, and rapid response strategies to contain and curb the spread.
Addressing members of the technical working group, the minister urged them to develop a comprehensive and effective elimination framework. He emphasized that the economic losses associated with CBPP are significant and that intensified action is critical to prevent further spread across the country.
CBPP is a highly infectious respiratory disease that affects cattle and water buffalo. It is caused by Mycoplasma mycoides subspecies mycoides and is characterized by severe pneumonia, fever, and mortality rates of up to 50 percent.
The disease spreads primarily through the inhalation of droplets from infected animals and remains endemic in many parts of Africa. Standard control measures include vaccination, quarantine, and strict regulation of livestock movement.